A warning has been issued to residents to not allow anyone registering people onto the electoral role into their homes.

The warning follows an incident where a man claiming to be an electoral canvasser working for Epping Forest District Council arrived at an address in Abridge.

The resident, who had already replied to an official electoral role reminder form, challenged the man, who then fled, causing the council to then notify police.

The council had not employed a company to knock on doors of residents to remind them to register, as the man claimed.

An spokesman for Epping Forest District Council said: “We will be sending canvassers round to remind people to register in the New Year but that process has obviously not started yet and we would never ask to come into anyone’s home.

“Our staff carry identity badges and won’t mind waiting while a resident checks their authenticity.

“If you have received a form, please respond immediately. Many of the 55,000 households in the district have responded but over 12,000 replies are still outstanding.

“It is a legal requirement to register to vote but more importantly, anyone who fails to register will find they are unable to vote in the next local, Parliamentary and European elections.”

Reminder forms were delivered to households which had yet to respond to an annual registration of electors.

Anyone with concerns are urged to contact the elections office on 01992 564411.